Onikira: Demon Killer
- August 27, 2015
- Digital Furnace Games
Get on SteamOnikira: Demon Killer is a side-scrolling beat 'em up game set in feudal Japan, where you play as a lone samurai named Yamazaki Jiro, fighting to prevent the Japanese underworld from consuming the land of the living. The game features deep fighting mechanics combined with classic 2D platforming, allowing for varied combat styles, including heavy melee and ranged approaches. Use the environment to your advantage and switch weapons on the fly to execute impressive combos.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features beautiful artwork and a stylish combat system that can be engaging and fun.
- Bosses effectively telegraph their attacks, allowing for strategic gameplay.
- There is potential for a good game buried under the bugs, and some players have found enjoyment despite the issues.
- The game is plagued by constant crashes, glitches, and significant latency issues that hinder gameplay.
- Combat feels clunky and unresponsive, with many players experiencing input lag and dropped inputs.
- The game lacks proper storytelling and has a disappointing ending that feels abrupt and poorly set up.
- graphics17 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game's graphics have received mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful artwork and unique art style, which ranges from minimalist to breathtaking. However, some players noted issues with graphical options and performance, including a lack of advanced settings and occasional glitches. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered stunning and engaging, the technical execution and control responsiveness have drawn some criticism.
“The graphics are stunning.”
“The beautiful artwork and menacing demons make the game pleasing to look at.”
“The beautiful hand-painted art style, its frenetic thumping soundtrack, and the superbly diverse combat encounters all add up to an amazing gaming experience.”
“The graphics options are bare bones.”
“No advanced graphics options, which can be weird for others with less powerful systems.”
“The game is in alpha still, so just be prepared for weird graphical glitches and game crashing.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews are mixed, highlighting enjoyable elements such as smooth mechanics and fun combat, particularly in 2D side-scrolling contexts. However, players also report significant issues, including rough edges like unresponsive moves, hitbox problems, and frequent crashes, which detract from the overall experience. While some find potential in the game's mechanics and design, others criticize the pacing and execution, suggesting that it falls short of its promising visuals and concepts.
“The game's gameplay is smooth.”
“Combine the smooth gameplay and you have yourself some eye candy.”
“One of the best 2D side-scrolling games I've ever played; it has everything: fun gameplay, cool enemy design, and good level design. Highly recommended!”
“One main issue for me that I can't get past is the on-screen text at the beginning of the game which is meant to explain the story after you start a new game; it changes to the next section of text way too fast and doesn't give you the option to skip to the next bit of text yourself due to it being a cutscene rather than it using in-game mechanics. They give you the option to skip text with a button in-game, so it really doesn't make any sense as to why they chose a cutscene over in-game options.”
“Sometimes it crashes on a menu, sometimes at the level select, and then crashes randomly during gameplay.”
“The 'epic boss,' which I'm guessing is the big dude with the huge eye, kills the pacing of the first level and really shines a light on all the mechanical problems this game has.”
- music9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players praise its fitting tones and frenetic soundtrack that enhance the gaming experience, others find it lacking and boring, with a desire for more engaging "fighting" music. Overall, the soundtrack is noted as a highlight by some, contributing positively to the atmosphere, while others feel it falls short in intensity and variety.
“The music fits the tones of each scene and fight.”
“The beautiful hand-painted art style, its frenetic thumping soundtrack, and most crucially, the superbly diverse combat encounters all add up to an amazing gaming experience.”
“The art style and music grabbed me pretty fast and the mechanics have made me stay.”
“Clunky controls, floaty protagonist and monsters, awkward combat, weird hitboxes, boring music--in short, a mediocre game in most respects.”
“No music, by the way; I don't know why, and sound effects are lacking too. I don't feel like I'm slaughtering a bunch of poor creatures.”
“Need more 'fighting' music.”
- stability8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of persistent glitches, crashes, and unfinished features that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many users describe it as buggy and unpolished, indicating that it feels more like an alpha version than a completed product. Overall, players advise caution due to the frequent technical issues that hinder gameplay.
“This game is very buggy and feels unfinished.”
“The various glitches and framerate issues ruin the fun, and the combat pretty much boils down to mashing the x button since a lot of the special moves either barely work or are just worthless.”
“Looks cool but at the end all you get is a broken game that glitches every time you reach a certain point of a stage.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing the storytelling mechanics, particularly the fast-paced cutscene text that limits player control. While others appreciate the narrative and graphics, they feel the story could be improved for a more engaging experience. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a weak point, despite some positive elements.
“Cool story so far and awesome graphics and is not too demanding on your system.”
“That's bad storytelling.”
“One main issue for me that I can't get past is the on-screen text at the beginning of the game, which is meant to explain the story after you start a new game. It changes to the next section of text way too fast and doesn't give you the option to skip to the next bit of text yourself due to it being a cutscene rather than using in-game mechanics. They do give you the option to skip text with a button in-game, so it really doesn't make any sense as to why they chose a cutscene over in-game options.”
“Story is quite fine, but could be better.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its authentic Japanese atmosphere, evoking a distinct anime-like feeling reminiscent of Afro Samurai, which enhances the overall experience.
“Great game, real Japanese atmosphere, anime-like feeling (Afro Samurai style). Those were pluses!”
